Humidity-governor



Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

FIG-.2

Junior G. E. KIRK.

HUMIDITY GOVERNOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21. 1916.

Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SIIEET 2.

ZInucnIoz GEORGE E. KIRK, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

HUMIDITY-GOVERNOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

Appliaction filed February 21, 1916. Serial No. 79,702.

To all to 7mm it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE E. KIRK, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Toledo, Lucas county, Ohio, have invented new and useful- Humidity-Governors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to determining the condition of materials, especially materials having a flow angle or angle of repose vary ing with a change in the physical characteristics of the material, as moisture content.

This invention has utility when embodied as a determining or disclosing device for moisture carrying substances. In many manufacturing processes, the quick determination of moisture content and the maintenance thereof, even under varying weather conditions, is of the utmost importance. This is brought keenly home to many manufacturers by the prevailing standards of permitted moisture content, a case in point being that of cereals.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, with parts broken away, of an embodiment of the invention in an apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line IL-Il, Fig. 1, showing in plan thevariable incline rocki11 chute;

Fig. 3 is a view from the with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line IV-IV, Fi 1;

*ig. 5 is a section on the line V-V, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the control connections of the dryin and moistening lines to the device.

11 the carrying out of the method, the material to be handled, say wheat flour, may be tested to determine its moisture content at various angles of repose; or more simply, tested for the angle of repose when brought to Federal Food Regulation standard of moisture content. Instead of testing this angle with a protractor, or similar scheme, such standard flour may be passed through the apparatus of Fig. 1, and this apparatus set therefor. When so set, it may coact for controlling such condition. WVithout such setting, it will automatically indicate and record the standard condition and the variations therefrom. The recording may be disclosed with a time function, indicating when right of Fig. 2,

changes occurred, Further recording with a volume function or mass may disclose the proportions of stock above or below standard to permit establishment of average condition for the quantity.

In a regular stream of the stock or material, even though of varying flow rate, the apparatus hereof may be disposed, as between the spouting sections 1, 2. The apparatus has the upper housing section 3 provided with the bafiles or inclines 4, 5, to break the velocity rate in the stream discharging through the opening or throat 6 into the housing 7 containing the flow angle or inclined rocking chute. This rocking chute bucket is of inverted T cross section, embodying the upwardly directed vane S and the transverse cross plate 9.

This bucket 8, 9, may be considered as the power end of the lever 10 on the vane 8 above the plate 9. The lever 10 is mounted, so that even on this heavier power end of the lever there may be transverse tilt for bucket loading. The lever 10 is fulcrumed in the sleeve 11 having the pair of diametrically extending trunnions 12 of the fulcrum hearing proper disposed in the supporting brackets 13 carried by the housing 7. Opening or slot 1 1 in the removable door 15 of the housing, permits the lever 9 to rock in a vertical plane, while the sleeve 11 allows this lever 9 to rock transversely on its axis to dump the buckets.

The material dumped from the bucket 8, 9, or sliding off thereof, passes the throat 16 to a secondrocking chute or bucket. This second horizontally disposed rocking chute and material measuring device, includes the upwardly directed vane 17, the rocking travel of which is limited by the stops 18 carried by the throat 16. This bucket has the transverse plate 19 above which the vane 17. centrally of plate 19, is pivotally mounted by the trunnions 20, 21 in the housing section 22, spilling into the spouting section 2.

Connected to the trunnion 21 is the arm 23 rocked by the oscillations of the driving and measuring bucket 17, 19. This arm 23 has pivoted thereon the dog at, normally held by the spring 25 in contact with the crown ratchet 26 fast with the shaft 27 rotatable in the vertical bearing 28 mounted on the housing 7.

Also coacting with the ratchet 26 is the holding dog 29, maintained inengagement by the spring 30. This dog and spring are mounted on the fixed bracket 3.1 carried by the bearing 28.

The shaft 27 has an upper spiral or threaded section 32, embraced by the reciprocable guide 33, the vertical position of which guide is controlled by the lever 10 loosely engaging the recess 3%. The U-section 35 mounted on the load end of the lever 10 gives this lever a trident form. The free ends of the U-section 35 carry short links 36 to throw the pins 37, adjusted by the nuts 38, out of the plane of the axis of the lever 10, so that in the transverse rocking of the lever 10 as actuated by the dumping of the bucket S, 9, one pin 37 may coact at the root of the threading 32, and the other pin 37 be free of the threading 32. The guide slots 39 keep the links or pivotal extensions 36 vertically disposed adjacent the guise block As the bucket 8, 9, dumps, the lever 10 being free to travel in a vertical plane the engaging pin 37 acts as a holder, and the free pin 3? in its inward swing engages the threading 32 igher up, giving a slightly greater angle of inclination to the plate 9 for the next independent quantity o't material. If this material fie vs 06., it will )ElSS to actuate the bucket 17, 19, for drawing the lever 10 down to such point as material will not flow off the plate 9, when material accumulation thereon will cause the bucket to dump, with the reversal of threading engagement ot ins 37. Each pin 37 when moving into t reading engagement does so at a higher point, which higher point is gradually lowered by the drive of the shaft 27 from the bucket 17, 19. It follows that the guide block 33 is asort of fly hall. governor in its action, and will have but insignificant travel up or down in the passage of stock of uniform angle of repose through the apparatus.

The block 33 accordingly automatically finds the flow angle or angle of repose of the material being tested, as a sample, or as a continuous stream' Further, in astream, this device will fluctuate accurately with the flow condition variation of such stream. Indication, recording, signaling and control connections may effectively coact from this humidity governor source.

Extending from the bearing 28 is the bracket 39 carrying the upright stem or shaft 40 having mounted on the top thereof a time element operated. device, say a spring motor clock 41 having the driving shaft 42 therefrom operating through the pinion 43 and crown gear 14 to rotate the drum 4:5 antifrictionally mounted by the ball bearings 46. This drum 45 may have the clips 47 for removably mounting a time and angle scale carrying sheet 43 upon which a flow angle-time record line l9 may be inscribed by the marker or inker 50 held by the bar 51 fast with the block 33.

For the mass or weight function, the shaft 27, may carry the pinion 52 in mesh with the gear 53 on the lower drum 54 carried antit'rictionally by the ball bearings 55. The ball bearings 16, 55 are, mounted on the stem 40. The drum 54 may carry by the clips 47 a removable weight-flow angle scale sheet 56, upon which may be inscribed the weightmoisture record line 57 by the inker or marker 58, also mounted on the bar 51.

The bar 51 may have adjustably mounted thereon the arm 59, in its upward travel to move contact 60 into circuit closing relation with the contact 61, line 62 solenoid 63, line 64, alarm signal or bell 65 and battery 66 to the contact 60. As so energized the solenoid 63 will rock the arm 67 to open the dry hot air or material drying line 63 to act upon the material flow stream.

The arm 59 in its dowrn and travel moves. the contact 69 into circuit closing relation with the contact 70, line 71, solenoid 72, line 64, bell 65, battery 66, contact 69. ;\.s so onergized, the solenoid 72 rocks tl T arm 67 to open the saturated moist air or steam line 73 to act to bring up the moisture content ot the material flow stream.

As the moisture content of the material is brought up, its angle of repose increases, the material will not slide off the free end of the plate 9, but in accumulating thereon, will travel up the threading 32, carrying the guide block 33, bar 51, with the insulated contact engaging end 59. arm 59 away from the spring contacts, which do not impede the travel to interfere with proper recording and indication, the solenoid 72 is deiinergizcd, and the arm 67 automatically returns to its central normal position, as actuated by the springs 74, with both material treatment lines 68, 7 3 closed. Similar operation occurs in the reverse direction when the material stream is being dried out to maintain uniform moisture, by the action of line 68.

This method. of determining the moist condition of a material by the direct angle of repose measurement, after having the moisture standard angle of repose, provides a, ready and effective scheme tor quick. ac- -urate checking at all times 1' or intermittent or continuous work, and is a carrying forard of the substance of applicants copending application disclosure which has developed into Patent 1,175,152, Mar. 1.4, 1916. Further, it is to be noted the device is not susceptible of clogging, may not be affected or modified by atmospheric conditions, but is operated solely by the material. Again, no physical change in the material is brought about by the device extracting moisture therefrom, or otherwise.

The single apparatus may operate over a wide range and be used for different materials, automatically acting to disclose the \Vith this angle of repose, and consequently the moisture content as varied from a predetermined known angle taken as standard, or in connection with a previously devised moisture and angle checked scale for full scale moisture determinations. The machine may be as sensitive as different particular uses may demand. However, in commercial work with some stocks, as hominy grits, a moisture variation of will show up close to one degree in angle of repose, which in the escapement action of bucket 8, 9, gives sensitive results.

What is claimed and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A way for a stream of material, a humidity governor for the material embodying differentially operable flow actuated means, and moisture varying device connections from the governor to act to conform the material to the governor adjustment.

2. A way for a stream of material, and a material repose condition recorder for the stream having cooperating volume disclosing means.

3. A way for a stream of material, and a material repose condition recorder for the stream having cooperating time interval disclosing means.

4. An automatically adjustable angle of repose determining mechanism for flowing material embodying material flow operated mechanism for successively clearing the device of material.

5. A humidity sensitive device embody ing material actuated rocker means for permitting independent quantities of material to coact with the device.

6. A way for a stream of material, and a governor device therein for the material stream embodying two flow actuated means, mechanism operated by the flow actuation of one of the means for varying the adjustment of said last mentioned means, and a treating device provided with connections acting to conform the material to respond to recover from said adjustment.

7. A way for a stream of material, a device therein shiftable to a plurality of positions for actuation therein by the repose condition of the material, and indicating means disclosing the shifted position of the device.

8. A way for a stream of material, a material repose condition device, and an alarm operable on fluctuation of the device by the material stream.

9. A way for a stream of material, and a material repose condition device, and a recorder operable by the device for disclosing comparative conditions of the stream.

10. A way for a stream of material, and a device shiftable to a plurality of angles for receiving material thereon, said device movable in addition to angle shifting for discharging material therefrom.

11. A way for a stream of material, an oscillating device driven by said material stream, the driving of said device being varied by the angle of repose of the material of said stream, and means actuated by the device.

12. A way for a stream of material, a material condition affected mechanism including a material accumulating device in the way having a plurality of positions as to the way, said device being additionally alternately oppositely movable by said accumulation for relieving the device of said accumulation and affecting said positioning.

13. An angle of repose determining de vice for particles of material, including a member tiltable for ascertaining the repose angle of material thereon, said device having connections for additionally moving the member independently of the tilting for clearing material therefrom.

14. A way for a stream of material, a stream handling self clearing flow angle determining device for the material, said device being tiltable upon a plurality of axes, and a control mechanism for tilting the device on one of its axes.

15. A way for a stream of material, therein a device having intersecting tilting axes upon which it is rockable by the material stream for determining the repose angle of the material of the stream and a control mechanism for tilting the device on one of its axes.

16. A way for a stream of material, and therein a device tiltable on one axis by the material stream, there being connections from the device causing such material stream tilting of the device to shift the device on another axis, thereby adjusting the angle of the device for repose reception of material.

17. A way for a stream of material, a device therein for receiving material of the stream, said device being pivotally mounted to rock and discharge accumulated material therefrom, and connections from the device operable by the rocking thereof to vary the inclination of the device.

18. A way for a stream of material, a compound tilting device therein for receiving material of the stream, said device being rockablc upon one axis by the material stream accumulation to discharge accumu lated material therefrom, connections from the device operable by the material accumulation rocking thereof to vary the tilt of the device on a different axis, and additional mechanism shifting the tilt of the device in an opposite direction from the tilt variation effected by the connections from the device.

1.9. A way for a stream of material, a pair of stream actuated members in said Way, means forv mounting one of the members to shift such member to vary the stream action thereon in one direction, and mechanism from the other member opposing the action of said means.

20. A humidity tester embodying a receiver for particles of material, and means for adjusting the receiver in opposite directions adjacent the position particles just tend to accumulate on the receiver.

21. A humidity determining apparatus for particles of material embodying a receiver for the particles of material, said receiver forming an inclined chute, and mechanism operable by the particles of material for varying the inclination of the chute.

22. A humidity sensitive device embody ing a Way for receiving particles of material, and means for varying the particle retaining capacity of the way including a movable member and positive adjusting means positioning the member, said particle receiving Way being movable by the particles to shift said Way as to the means.

23. A moisture sensitive device embodying a non-absorbent member provided with material controlled variable adjustment means for positioning the member so pl r ticles of material will just flow therefrom.

24. A humidity sensitive device embodying a non-moisture accumulating member provided with actuating means causing the member to respond for different fixed positionings fluctuating as the moisture content of the material varies.

25. A humidity sensitive device embodying a member in itself moisture non-accumulative, and actuating means shifting the member as operable from material acting on the member, fluctuating the positively held position of the member to respond to moisture variations of the material.

26. A humidity sensitive device embodying a member in itself moisture non-accumulative for receiving particles of the material being tested, said member being moved by the particles of material, and actuating connections from the member for additionally shifting the member into positively held positions fluctuating to respond to moisture variations of the material.

27. Apparatus for determining the moisture content of material from the angle of repose thereof, said apparatus including means for ascertaining the angle of repose of the material embodying interacting material receiving and material operated members.

28. Apparatus for determining moisture content variation of material having an angle of repose including means adjustable for disclosin an angle of repose and material controlled operating connections therefor varying the adjustment of the means as the moisture content of the material varies.

29. Apparatus for determining moisture content of material having an angle of repose including means adjustable for an angle of repose, operating connections for varying the adjustment of the means as the moisture content of the material varies, and material treating means controlled by the connections from the adjustable means.

In Witness whereof I affix my signature. GEO. E. KIRK. 

